Communications Director

Blueprint Biosecurity

📍Remote (Global) 🕔 Full Time 
⏳ 04/05/2025 💰$140–$180,000 USD

Blueprint Biosecurity is seeking a Communications Director to translate our work into compelling narratives that inspire action. You’ll build and lead a team that crafts messages powerful enough to move policymakers, scientists, funders, and the public. Ultimately, we hope you will shape how the world thinks about pandemic prevention.

You will design, manage, and oversee communications across the organization. You will have a high degree of autonomy to build and lead a high-performing communications team, manage external contractors, and collaborate across all Blueprint teams. In this role, you will serve as the organization’s voice, translating complex technical technical concepts and programs into compelling narratives for diverse audiences including policymakers, scientists, donors, and the public.

We are seeking a proactive leader who thrives in a dynamic and evolving environment. The ideal candidate will be excited about building a communications function from the ground up and willing to pivot and iterate to find ways to succeed.

Responsibilities

• Strategy & Leadership

  • Identify opportunities to amplify Blueprint’s impact through strategic communications

  • Develop and implement a comprehensive communications strategy aligned with Blueprint Biosecurity’s mission and strategic goals

  • Build and lead a high-performance team that excels at managing everything from daily communications needs to designing and implementing major campaigns.

  • Collaborate with the Managing Director and program teams to determine organizational messaging, brand, and public positioning

  • Provide strategic communications advice to leadership team and program directors

• External Communications

  • Showcase stories about Blueprint’s work to help further our mission

  • Build and nurture relationships with journalists, thought leaders, and potential partners

  • Oversee the creation and editing of high-quality content across channels, including social media, newsletters, blog posts, press releases, white papers, and marketing collateral

  • Translate technical and scientific content into accessible messaging for diverse audiences

  • Manage media relations and serve as a spokesperson for the organization when appropriate

  • Support the executive team in developing fundraising materials and donor communications

  • Facilitate the program and research teams publishing frequently on their work

• Internal Communications

  • Develop and maintain internal communications processes to ensure staff alignment and information sharing

  • Create documentation and internal resources to facilitate knowledge transfer throughout the organization

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Minimum of 7 years of experience in communications, with at least 3 years in management roles developing others

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills with the ability to tailor language for different audiences

• Proven ability in leading communications teams effectively, including strong project management skills with experience overseeing multiple simultaneous initiatives

• Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical content into compelling narratives

• Experience building and maintaining media relationships

• Proficiency with communications technologies, social media platforms, and content management systems

• Experience with AI tools for content creation, editing, and analysis

Preferred Skills and Qualifications

• Experience in science communication, public health, or policy-related fields

• Experience in PR and media

• Experience building communications functions from the ground up

• Experience with fundraising communications and donor relations

• Experience working in fast-paced nonprofit or startup environments

• Understanding of biosecurity, pandemic preparedness, or adjacent fields

If you are on the fence about applying because you are unsure whether you are qualified, we would strongly encourage you to apply.

Our Ideal Candidate

• Is a fast learner and gets up to speed in new fields quickly

• Has a proven track record of initiating, navigating, and taking diverse projects to completion

• Is humble but ambitious

• Thrives in ambiguity

• Asks clarifying questions to acquire the information they need

• Appreciates the value of teamwork and regularly includes others in planning, decision-making, and execution

• Delivers results in high-energy settings without compromising on quality

• Demonstrates resilience in overcoming challenges

What We Offer

• Compensation: The base salary for this position ranges from $140,000–$180,000 USD. We consider a variety of factors when formulating an offer, including but not limited to, the role and responsibilities, work experience, education/training, skills, expertise, and internal equity.

• Benefits: Our benefits package for full-time employees includes:

  • Unlimited PTO + paid holidays

  • Generous health and wellness benefits through an Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangement (ICHRA) for you and your family

  • Fully paid family leave

  • Annual 401(k) contributions equal to 10% of your base salary

  • Support for productive work from home

How to Apply

Submit your application here. Here’s a summary of the application process for a successful candidate. We might make adjustments.

• Complete the application form by 11:59 pm Eastern time on May 4, 2025

  • Applications may be reviewed on a rolling basis, so you are encouraged to apply early

• Attend an initial screening call

• Complete 1-2 paid work test(s) designed to simulate the work you would do if hired and evaluate key skills important for success in the role

• Attend final remote/local interviews

• Submit references

• Receive an employment offer!

Application Details

Applications Due: May 4, 2025 at 11:59 pm Eastern time

Location: We are a remote team headquartered in Washington, D.C. Remote candidates must be able to work between 11 am and 3 pm Eastern Time. This role may require travel up to 15% of the time.

Start Date: We’d like a candidate to start as soon as possible after receiving an offer, though there is some flexibility.

Workplace Inclusion and Accessibility: We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment where all employees have the opportunity to succeed. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Please let us know what accommodations you might need when applying or if asked to be interviewed by emailing us at recruiting@blueprintbiosecurity.org.

Referral Bonus

We offer a referral bonus of up to $5,000 to individuals who refer successful candidates for this position:

If the candidate receives a job offer from us, you will receive $1,000

If the candidate is still working with us after three months, you will receive a further $4,000, for a total of $5,000

To receive these bonuses, we must reasonably believe that you were responsible for referring the candidate to us (e.g. due to you introducing them to us when we didn’t previously know them, or them mentioning you on their application as the reason they heard about the position). You can use this form to submit potential candidates.